The release in Kendall Marshall’s shot appears slow. His form looks awkward. And Marshall’s attempts come from considerably long range.

Yet, a perceived weakness in Marshall’s game has turned into a strength. Marshall entered the Lakers’ 96-79 loss Tuesday to the Utah Jazz at Staples Center leading the NBA in 3-point shooting (49.4 percent). In the four games since Steve Nash and Steve Blake returned to the lineup from respective back and elbow injuries, Marshall has gone 9 of 12 from the perimeter. And Marshall’s ability to establish a niche role has left Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni pleasantly surprised.

Not so much against Utah. Marshall went only 3 of 13 from the field and shot 0 of 3 from 3-point range. But beforehand, Marshall showed off a deft shooting touch despite an unorthodox approach.

Marshall doesn’t have much lift in his shot. He doesn’t square up with it, either. And his penchant for canning baskets from long distance masks a self-admitted weakness.

“I know I have a slow release. I need time to get it off,” Marshall said. “If the defender has to close out farther, that’s to my advantage. With the way I shoot, I don’t have a lot of motion so I feel like I’m strong enough to shoot from there.”

So have any coaches implored Marshall to change his shot?

“Honestly, every coach I’ve had has told me I have a good form,” Marshall. “It’s just a matter of shooting with confidence.”

Marshall also added he has worked at “getting air underneath the ball” when he shoots, but that he’s mostly kept the same principles.

Making progress

Lakers forward Pau Gasol told this newspaper he will be re-evaluated Thursday to assess whether he can rehab beyond running on an elliptical machine. The Lakers have penciled him out until at least after the All-Star break because of a strained right groin.

In demand

The Lakers’ injury-decimated roster and persistent losing hardly sparks the same buzz that once permeated the Fabulous Forum and Staples Center.

So much that the Lakers’ loss to Utah marked the second game this season that didn’t sell out. The Lakers drew 18,209 fans, shy of the capacity of 18,997. They ended their sellout streak for regular-season home games at 270 when they brought 18,426 people at Staples Center for the team’s win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Nov. 12.

Wish upon a star

The Lakers Youth Foundation donated $5,000 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Los Angeles. They originally planned to donate $500 for every made 3-pointer against Utah, but the Lakers went only 4 of 16 from behind the arc. Kobe Bryant met two children representing Make-A-Wish with their families following the game. The Lakers also secured an entire section of Staples Center for Make-A-Wish staff members and volunteers to watch Tuesday’s game.

Mark Medina has been the Lakers beat writer for the Los Angeles Daily News since 2012. He also works as a Lakers insider for AM570 and is heard on national radio outlets, including The Dan Patrick Show, The Herd with Colin Cowherd, The Chris Mannix Show, Fox Sports Radio, CBS Sports Radio, Yahoo! Sports Radio and SB Nation Radio. Medina also appears frequently on Spectrum SportsNet and NBC4's "Going Roggin."

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